On February 11, 2011, I found out that I have Stage IV non-hodgkin's Lymphoma. This is my journey, which is motivated by the song I Believe by Diana Degarmo from American Idol Season 3.

I believe in the impossible
If I reach deep within my heart
Overcome any obstacle
Won't let this dream fall apart
See I strive to be the very best
Shine my light for all to see
Cause anything is possible
When YOU Believe

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

This past Memorial Day, I rode in the Mayor's Bike, Hike, and Paddle and successfully rode 15 miles. While I did have a blowout around the 9 mile mark, the support folks came and changed the tube for me, only to find that the tire had blown out too. Thinking I was done for the day, the other support van came by and I asked if he had a tire. Believe it or not, he had one, and I was able to get it changed out, and I was back on the course so I could finish. Surprisingly, the support people do not charge for the parts and I am extremely grateful for the help. Totally unexpected.

So on to my next challenge. The Bike To Beat Cancer ride supports the Norton's Cancer Institute, and I am riding for the Suburban's Norton's Cancer Institute, where I had my treatment. I have chosen the 65 mile course as a goal to push further towards getting in shape. The ride is on Sept 24th, 2011 at EP Tom Sawyer Park.

As part of the challenge, I have set a goal to raise $500 for this race. You can donate online from my personal page for this very worthwhile cause, but don't feel obligated to donate. Naturally, I would love to reach a higher goal, but anything works for me. :) Please support my ride if you can.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

So a week and a half has gone by pretty darn quick. While very busy, I have not noticed any difference, feeling great and nothing to complain about. I have a week in Florida to look forward to in a couple weeks, so I am gonna hope that time keeps flying by for that to get here :)

Friday, May 20, 2011

So this week has been a little crazy and I am a bit behind in adding this entry to my blog. But on Wednesday, my birthday, I got the awesome news that my cancer is in remission. The best part was pretty much all NED, and that means no evidence of disease. The shoulder, which was the biggest hotspot was clear. At my doctors recommendation, we started maintenance Rituxan and that will be every 12 weeks. I will have a regular CT scan after that, to see how things go. Rituxan targets a marker called CD20 on the B-cells where NHL starts. Healthy B-cells help your body fight infection, but some become cancerous and form tumors. So the Rituxan maintenance will help keep the bad cells that try to form to a minimum. Thats the best I can explain it. Ha. So, my day was pretty crazy with all that wonderful news and the fact I got it on my birthday. Couldn't have been a better present. But good things sometimes come with bad things, and unfortunately the 2D echo of my heart showed a bit of concern. I guess the heart isn't pumping the right way and I need to eat better and get in shape. This is something I can control and will have to do so to help this out. Unfortunately, I think that the stresses of my day job are getting the best of this, and either I find a way to control it or make some changes to lessen that stress. Thats the tougher one, but we'll see how it goes. For all those that have asked or wondered if I am not including any of the bad news, this is the first I have had to include, so yeah, it's all real. But I am doing great and look forward to getting my fitness on. I challenged my niece to run the Kentucky Derby Festival mini-marathon next year in 2012, to which she accepted and also said there was one in November too. LOL Not sure I can meet that one, but who knows.

That's it for now. Gosh, 12 weeks till the next treatment, that sounds so far away, but I am sure time will go by fast. Thanks for all the prayers and support over these past 5 months! It has truly helped me get through this. :)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Tomorrow, I have my first PET scan, and cannot wait. At least this one will not be as painful as the first one. Thank goodness the pain in the shoulder continues to stay away. After this, I will find out where my boat will take me on this journey that I have been given.

There's bound to be rough watersAnd I know I'll take some fallsBut with the good Lord as my captainI can make it through them all...yes -- Garth Brooks "The River"

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Appointments are in. Now it is just time to cruise on through the weeks till they get here. Monday the 16th at 12:15 is my first PET scan since treatment has started. To say I am excited is an understatement. Also on Monday I have a 2D echo of my heart. The 18th I meet with my doctor to hear the news that I can't wait to get. So for now, I will be keeping busy to get me to the 16th to see what is in store for me next!!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

So time has flown by from a busy week, and all the derby festival fun this weekend. Things are going very well, and I can say that I don't have anything to say other than this week has been very good. Still waiting for my sugars to bounce back after my chemo, but all is good. Adjustments to my meds have helped with the weight gain I saw last month, so all is working well. Feel great, just cruising through. Hello May, its time to do that PET scan and see how things have gone.